Final Reflection

In my mind, technology and education have always gone together. However, I didn't quite grasp what it could be until this class. Technology integration is not just having students research a topic and present their findings. It is so much more. It can be used to differentiate for all learners and allows students to be self-directed learners. While some of the tools I've discussed in this blog were easier than others to navigate, they all challenged my thinking. I had tunnel vision when it came to certain tools such as Twitter and Instagram. I only knew them as a way to express myself, rather than as an educational opportunity.

Through these assignments, I have also learned a lot about myself. I found that I second guess myself quite a bit. Risk taking is a an important skill to model for our students, but found myself lacking. I worried about silly things like whether the comic strip was funny or if I sounded weird on Screencast-O-matic. With each completed blog post, I felt my confidence improve. Ideas would run through my head while at work, and I even shared my blog with some of the classroom teachers. With all of the different digital technology available, it can feel overwhelming, but the key is to find what works for you and your students.

I found the infographic to be the most difficult for me, but the most beneficial for kids. Trying to condense the information was a struggle because everything seemed important, but once it was complete, I found that it had endless possibilities for students. Animoto was an exciting find! It was so much fun to create and so easy to use. I have created several more videos since the initial blog. Our school had a volunteer appreciation tea, so I compiled all of the photographs from the school year and made a video to show during the event. It was a huge hit! I also made a promotion video for our school's Culture Night. In it, I showed pictures from the last two years activities and added an informational slide that additional information about the event. I was able to share it via our school's social media sites with ease.

With the speed in which new technology is being created, I am excited to think of what the future holds for our students. There are so many more opportunities for self-expression and creativity than I remember from my days in school. Giving students the chance to be innovative will positively impact not only their future, but ours as well. Networking has been played a big part both in this class and outside it. I have found many amazing ideas on other blogs and through various social media sites. I plan on continuing my learning through professional development opportunities and networking. It is important for library media specialists to lead by example, so I am ready to step outside the box and take some risks!